Spectacle-case



(Model.)

` J. 8v H. G. CHASE.

SPECTACLE CASE.

Patented Aug. 30, 1,881.

UNiTen STATES iPATENT Carien.

JAMES CHASE, F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, AND HERBERT G. CHASE, CF FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECTACLE-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 246,460, dated .August 30, 1881.

Application tiled April 27, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, JAMES CHAsE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, Monroe county, New York, and HERBERT G. CHASE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fitchburg, Worcester county, Massachusetts, havel invented new and useful Improvements in Cases for Spectacles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is to improve the form and construction of metallic cases for spectacles so as to impart to them an increased strength and durability with a neat, inexperisive lnish, and at the Sametime render the case better adapted to fulfill the purposes for which it is intended.

To this end our invention consists in forinin g a spectacle-case with a permanently-closed portion that serves as a handle by which to 2o hold the case when opening or closing a lid that is hinged on one side ofthe open portion thereof; also, in providing a longitudinal arched ridge or corrugation in both the permanent and hinged portions of the cover, which thus forms a recess on the inner side ofthe case for the reception of the temple-bows, and aifords a bearing for the ngers in opening or closing the hinged lid; also, in forming the cover with a transverse rib or ribs that conceal 3o the joint and render a ne iinish unnecessary; and, further, in providing the base or bottom of the case with a curved surface having lon gitudinal ribs and corresponding depressions on the inner surface, that affords a lirm seat at 3 5 each side for supporting the spectacle-frame, and, together with the interior recess in the cover, serves to hold the spectacles firmly in position and prevent springing or injurious setting of the frame.

The invention is fully illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which Figure l is a view showing the manner of holding the case when opening or closing the hinged portion of the cover. Fig. 2 is a view of the case with the lid open to show the spectacles in position.

Fig. 3 is a bottom-plan view, and Fig. et is a central transverse section.

Like letters indicate like parts iu the several views.

(Model.)

The spectacle-case is formed of any suitable 5o metal that is capable of being struck up or swaged into the form shown in the drawings; and it consists of a permanently-closed portion, A, at one end, and an open portion, B, at the other, through which the spectacles are introduced and removed. At one side of the open portion is hinged a lid, C.

Extending from end to end of the cover through its iixed and hinged portions is a couveXlongitudinally-archedridgeorcorrugation, 6o a, that gradually rises from the ends of the cover and is higher in the center. On each side of this ridge the cover is concaved in such a manner as to impart a neat appearance to the case, and by forming a corresponding convcxity on the inner surface of the cover affords assistance and guidance to the temple-arms or spectacle-bows in their tendency to spring up Within the recess a on the inner or reverse side of the ridge a. llVhile in this situation the 7o normal shape and curvature of the templebows is preserved without impairment from undue pressure, and all liability of injury from becoming sprung or thrown out of line with each other whilein the case is thus effectually prevented.

On the under exterior surface of the case are parallel ribs b b, that form corresponding grooves or depressions b b', for the reception of the nose-bridge and its protection from in- 8o jurious pressure while introducing or removing the spectacles. The under portion of the case is curved from side to side and depressed in its central line, as shown in Fig. 4, in such a manner as to form a suitable seat, c, on each side for the support ofthe frames of the lenses. Itis also curved at each end to form a stop or bearing, c', for the ends of the temple-bows, and thus prevent the spectacle-frame from slipping lengthwise in the case. x

It will be observed that the lenses are thus held from contact with the usual lining, d, and therefore are not liable to collect the dust and lint that gather on the fabric employed. This construction of the lower portion ot' the case 95 also imparts increased strength and firmness.

At each side of the open portion of the case is a vertical flange or rim, e, which gradually tapers at the end of the case, and is a continu ation of the rim that forms the side ot" the ease. This flan ge is cut away or recessed at e e', and at the lower part of these recesses are secured the hingesff, by which the lid C is attached. The lid in closing covers an arched ange, g, on the fixed portion of the case-cover, but is prevented by the vertical flange near the hinges from closing completely until suitable pressure with the iin ger is applied on the side ot' the ridge a, so as to force the lid toward and over the vertical ange at the side ot' the case opposite the hinges. The back-pressure of the tlange b on the lid against the ila-nge c securely locks the case. The same pressure upon the ridge a is also required in opening the lid, which may then be raised by means ofthe notch b. The edge of the lid when closed rests against the side of a transverse rib, z', that is formed on the fixed portion of the cover, and which not only gives a finished appearance to the case and serves to conceal the joint formed by the edge of the lid, but also braces the lid laterally and imparts an increased strength to the case. A similar transverse rib, i', may be formed upon the lid G, if desired. These transverse ribs also act as frictional stops to prevent the ease from slipping from the pocket.

By means of this spectacle-ease the frame of the spectacles is supported and held in place in such a manner as to protect it, as well as the lenses, from pressure at all points, the in trinsic advantages ofthe rigid material ofwhieh the ease is preferably composed being utilized in the arched forni and other peculiarities of structure that impart dura-bility and finish while adapting the case more perfectly to its special uses, as hereinbefore specilied.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A metallic spectacle case permanently closed at one end that serves as a handle, having an open portion, to one side of which is attached a hinged lid, and provided with a convex longitudinally-arched ridge or bearin g that extends throughout the cover and forms a recess on its inner side for the reception of the temple-bows, substantially as specified.

2. A metallic spectacle-case having a base curved transversely, and also curved at the ends, as set forth, and provided with longitudinal ribs, forming interior recesses to receive the spectacle-frame and afford a seat for the same to hold the lenses from contact with the caselining, substantially as set forth.

3. A metallic spectacle-case having a permanent cover with a hinged lid attached to one side of the open cnd thereof, said cover being arched longitudinally and provided with a transverse rib or ribs that conceal the joint and impart strength and finish to the case, substantially as described.

4. In a metallic spectacle-case, the combination, with the permanently-closed portion A, uncovered portion B, and lid C, hinged to one side of said open portion, of the vertical flange or rim c, arched flange g, and transverse rib t', whereby the lid is securely locked and the joint concealed, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES CHASE. HERBERT G. CHASE.

Vitnesses to signature of Jas. Chase:

ALBERT H. NoaRrs, J. A. RU'rI-IERFORD.

Witnesses to the signature of Herbert G. Chase:

Crus. S. HAYDEN, E. G. DWYER. 

